1 John 1:1-2 “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us.”

The average American speaks about 15,000 words a day. Some of these words can hurt, others can heal. Words can make us cry, and words can make us laugh, but the best words are words of absolute truth. The beloved of Jesus, John, states an absolute fact with no hesitancy and boldness. For John writing for posterity and in the last years of his life, Jesus was more than a memory. He had an experience, an encounter that changed his life. It was a present reality even though Jesus was taken up in the sky to return to heaven. John was different because of the Word. John experienced a Word that closed a chasm between God and himself. Today I celebrate this same Word, this Word of Life. Today I will focus on my words. I will slow down and make every word that comes from my mouth a testimony of the Word that is my life. I pray that I might manifest the love and grace of Jesus. And further, I pray these words may be echoed back to me by all I encounter during this special season of celebration and joy.